There are several different types of signs and symptoms that can indicate pregnancy. They are called presumptive, probable and positive signs. Presumptive signs are symptoms that could be caused from pregnancy, but could also be caused by another medical condition. Probable signs are more definite symptoms that most likely indicate a pregnancy as opposed to another medical process. Positive signs are symptoms and findings that confirm a pregnancy.
Presumptive Signs
While presumptive symptoms can be caused by another medical condition, they can be signs of pregnancy. These signs can include a missed menstrual period, called amenorrhea. Nausea or vomiting can indicate an early pregnancy. Breast changes such as enlargement or tenderness can occur in early pregnancy. Other possible symptoms include fatigue, feeling the need to urinate more frequently, and increases in body temperature.
Probable Signs of Pregnancy
Probable signs are more definite, and although they could also possibly be caused by another medical process, they are most likely related to pregnancy. Probable signs of pregnancy include a positive urine or blood pregnancy test. A urine or blood pregnancy test searches for the amount of a certain hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin. A blood test for this hormone is more accurate than the urine test. Another probable sign a health care provider may notice, called Chadwicks signs, is a blue coloration of the cervix or vagina due to increased blood flow. Other possible signs include weight gain and uterine enlargement. Lastly, quickening may be noticed, which is when a mother begins to feel fetal movement for the first time.
Positive Signs
Three signs are considered positive signs of pregnancy. The first of these is the health care provider palpating or feeling the fetus during a medical exam. The next is an ultrasound in which a health care provider is able to visualize the fetus. The last of these signs is the ability of the health care provider to hear fetal heart tones, or the babies heart beat. This can usually be done beginning somewhere between 10 and 12 weeks with a device called a doppler.
Pregnancy Testing
Several home pregnancy test options are available for urine testing. A health care provider can perform both blood and urine pregnancy testing to determine if a pregnancy is present. Blood testing for human chorionic gonadotropin is the most sensitive of the tests.
Other tests for Pregnancy
A health care provider may perform a vaginal or abdominal ultrasound to verify the pregnancy. A device called a doppler may be used on the abdomen to listen to the baby's fetal heart tones and also confirm the pregnancy. The health care provider may also perform a pelvic exam to confirm other signs of pregnancy, such as uterine enlargement.
References
- The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Patient Pamphlet Morning Sickness
- "Introductory Maternity Nursing"; N. Jane Klossner; 2005
